Will they or won’t they? That is the question in Ottawa tonight, and around the hockey universe. What will happen tonight when Buffalo is in town? Will it be ugly? Or is it all hype? I have been warming up all day by watching brawls on Youtube. I apologize in advance to MOL if at our wedding I agree to take Youtube as my loving wife. To have and to hold. I loooooooove you Youtube. Anyway. This is what the NHL wants with the unbalanced schedule. A buzz about a divisional game. Even Crosby/Ovie didn’t have the hype this game does. Usually these games are all hype and no follow through. Lindy Ruff was fined 10K for putting out the goons the other night. I would suspect McGratton will be dressed for Ottawa. Should be good. I will be watching the Bruins, but checking in on Ottawa. Check back for updates. Killer. Call me.

Killer Called me. We just saw McGratton and Peters. Good scrap. I am topless.

UPDATE: This never got updated again last Saturday because I got plastered. Shocking.

Anyone catch this game last night? Wholly hell broke loose after Chris Drury from Buffalo got nailed near the Senators net by Chris Neil after trying to unload a twisted wrister in the second period. Head coach of the Sabres, Lindy Ruff, thought it was a cheap shot so he sent out the tuff guys on the very next shift.

What ensued was a good old fashion throw down with guys pairing off. The best part was Ray “Boom Boom” Emery skated towards center ice and met up with his counter part Martin “Bye Bye” Biron for a classic goalie tussle. Emery spent the majority of the time laughing and seemingly enjoying being in a fight. He even got off of Biron after they tumbled to the ice and allowed him to get back on his skates to continue the battle. Here is where things deteriorated. Andrew Peters from Buffalo, who was trying to fight anyone in a Senators uniform, stepped in front of Biron and started going at it with Emery. Give Emery credit as he held his own and still kept smiling. What bothers me is that no one from Ottawa came to Emery’s defense!!! Fuckin pretty boy speed demon Dany Heatley never even took his fucking gloves off. Those pansies from Ottawa just sat there and watched there goalie tussle with a legit meathead. How can this happen? How do you as a hockey player sit back and watch your goalie go at it and not step in? Who cares if he beats your brains in at least you gave it a go. As long as the earth is round and hockey is played on ice, nobody and I mean nobody should be able to fight a goalie like that and get away with it.

If I was a Senators fan, I would jump ship ASAP. This team has NO heart. You wonder why year after year they get whacked in the early rounds of the playoffs? They don’t have the balls to compete. If I was Bryan Murray, the head coach of Ottawa, I would bench the guys who were on this ice during that brawl and didn’t stick up for there goalie. If I was the GM, John Mukler, I would trade those gutless jellyfishes. It makes me sick to think how these woosies can wake up this morning and look in the mirror. How can they show up in the locker room today and expect to be respected by teammates? The whole thing just makes me sick. Bottom line is we saw a good brawl last night but we also saw the lowest point in the history of Hockey when teammates didn’t come to the aid of there goalie. You think this shit would have happened 10, 15, 20 + years ago? No fucking way.

I caught myself watching the Bruins game last night and they looked decent. 52 seconds left in the 2nd and what seemed like a great save by Thomas, game continues and period ends, right……wrong. After further review (when the boys are already in the locker room) GOAL, bring them back out and play the remaining 52 seconds like it never happened.

If they are going to review they need to adapt some NFL views and stop the damn game. What if either Boston or Buffalo had scored in that 52 seconds - is that goal removed or if someone got hurt during that would they magically heal because it never happened? I was very happy to see the gloves drop in the game and to see our beloved B’s take the shootout. They need to do something about review. Time to fire up the grill and cooler and watch the Great American Race

Earlier this week we asked you to contribute entries heralding your favorite hockey goon of all time. Response has been great, although there is still room for a lot more. We’ll be posting the best and holding a vote so that our readers can eventually pick the winner. Here is the first - Bobsluggo’s take on Dennis Bonvie:

Without a doubt my favorite goon of all time is Dennis “The Menace” Bonvie. The guy tears almost everyone he fights apart. He has amassed over 4,000 penalty minutes in North America. The guy isn’t a huge hulking, knuckle-dragging goon like Brashear, yet will throw with the best of them and sticks up for his mates game in and game out and has the heart of a lion. Dennis has gone from Edmonton to Pittsburgh, Ottawa and Boston. I would have liked to see Pittsburgh bring him up to protect Sid and Geno.

I own a Bonvie game worn Wilkes-Barre jersey, a pro signed Hershey bears, and my favorite is a signed helmet to me Sluggo from Dennis. Originally from Pittsburgh, I moved to Tucson in 1993. My nephew is still back there and plays in mites. One time they were going to play in a tournament in Hershey when Dennis was there. I sent a helmet with my sister so If the kids got the chance after the game to meet the players, I could get an autograph. Not only did Dennis sign my helmet and pose for several photos,as he was signing, my brother in law called me and told Dennis I was a huge fan but couldn’t be there. Dennis got on the phone and said hello and we talked a few seconds! I’ll enclose that pic. Tell me what baseball or basketball ego would do that!

In a league that has focused so much on speed and finesse, the big goon who can’t skate no longer has a place on the bench, team or payroll. Dennis can play and handles himself well, I really wish he would get a call-up to the big club. I know hockey players are more down to earth and “grassroots” than any other professional sports, but it really seems like the blue-collar grinding tough-guys are the humblest of them all. I own every Bonvie card, have a Hershey Bears, Binghamton Senators bobble-heads, a “Bonvie in the box” and I bought my nephew back in PA one of each as well. Because I am such a fan, now all of the kids on his mites team are Bonvie fans as well! They just made the trip a few weeks back to see Wilkes-Barre and Hershey again just because they enjoyed the tournament so much.

I have a friend who lives in Wilkes-Barre and he said Dennis does just as much for the youth hockey there as he did with my nephew. You couldn’t meet a nicer guy on the street or face a tougher one on the ice. Dennis is clearly a fan favorite and they say the arena in Wilkes Barre is “The House that Bonvie Built!”I can’t wait to send this and see who else voted for Dennis. I hope I win, but if I don’t I hope at least another Bonvie fan does. Bob “Sluggo” Schuster picks Dennis Bonvie as the all-time favorite Goon!

A little over a year ago I wrote this little piece. For those of you not inclined to re read it, I will re hash. Last season Keith Aucoin almost started a brawl, and got his fucking head kicked in for being a smart mouth. I don’t like Aucoin, never have. He is mouthy and can’t back it up. I have never liked players like that. Well today, I got this comment from new reader AJ.

WAHHHHHH!!!!! Are u pissed that Aucoin is a better hockey player than you….Talk about Sour grapes….Pansy

While I appreciate the comments from any one, I gotta call AJ out on this one. First off, I don’t think I am crying here. I call them as I see them AJ. I was psyched to see the violence, and was hoping a brawl started. I don’t care who started it. I was simply making a point. Ask anyone who has seen Aucoin play, and they will tell you the same thing. He is mouthy.

Secondly. I am not pissed Aucoin is a better hockey player than me. I think he is outstanding as a player. He has a great scoring touch and a knack for scoring big goals. Tom Rowe definitely loves the guy as he has had him on his roster a couple of times. I also have a lot bigger things to worry about than if Keith Aucoin is a better hockey player than me. He sure fucking is. Know what? A lot of people are. I think I am over it. I sell IT equipment. I don’t play pro hockey. I am cool with it. As far as the sour grapes and me being a pansy? I don’t see it. I love the rough stuff, obviously as this blog isn’t called PrettyGoalblog. It’s fucking Goonblog. So AJ thanks for stopping by. Feel free to read all the posts, and as always, comments are welcome. Even if they are way off base.

How many times do we have to listen to that question? Look at the NBA, MLB, NFL and hell even NASCAR for all you gear heads out there, you fight you are suspended and or fined large amounts of $$$. Some examples include Carmelo Anthony hitting some punk from the Knicks with his purse and got suspended for 15 games while former Sox hurler Bronson Arroyo got suspended for 6 games after a fight against the Tampa Bay DevilDogs. Were either of those fights necessary? I’m sure if you asked Melo and Bronson they would respond with a resounding YES but in all honesty, those fisticuffs had no real impact on the outcome of the game.

Take last night’s B’s tilt vs. Edmonton. The pre-game started with a nice tribute to “The Chief” Johnny Bucyk for his 50 yeas of service to the organization. He even got a Rolex and a brand new Volvo SUV for his troubles. I’m not sure that’s enough for the torture of dealing with Jeremy and his smarty pants son Charley Jacobs all these years but hey to each their own. The arena had a nice buzz to it and I’m sure so did Chris wherever he was! The game opened with a few sloppy plays by both sides with all in all not much spirited action. Then all hell breaks loose when Jeremy Reich busts his ass down to prevent an icing and bangs into Matt Greene. Wammo kablamo the gloves are off and away they go. Solid scrap with Reich getting the nod in this tilt.

By the way, other than a guy getting one punched - hockey fights, for the most part, end up pretty even. Now the place is rockin, fans are pounding beers along with their chests, Chris I am sure is doing the same and you can sense the B’s have some life. Just over 2 minutes after the fight, the B’s strike on a PP followed by another goal and take a 2-0 lead in to the first intermission. Eventually leaving the ice with a 3-0 W and two much needed points.

Without that fight, who knows what would have happened in this game. With it, one can clearly understand what role fighting has in the NHL. This fight changed momentum, got the home crowd into the game, sparked life into a near lifeless team, got me to put the remote down and not change it to, god help me as I type this…American Idol. That hurt, sorry about that, its’ part of my recovery process I am going through by being honest about things. Fighting is listed as a 5 minute penalty in the NHL (other additional minutes can be incurred due to the Instigator rule). It’s as clear as Wet Lite lubricant. Fighting has always and will continue to play a significant impact in the NHL. The day fighting in the NHL incurs a similar punishment as other professional sports is the day hockey will truly die. I hope for my sake that never occurs. Long Live the pugilist!

February 10th, 2007 was a sunny Saturday in Boston - until the fetid, odorous cloud that is the GoonSquad turned on a microphone and ruined everything. Highlights from Podcast #4 include guest appearances from Brandy and the infamous MOL, echoes of Tilsonburg, Colton Orr’s first goal and the worst attempted catchphrase in human history.

20 minutes and 4 Red Stripes later it was all over, and the birds once again began to sing. If you enjoy our podcast, please spread the word. And don’t forget to send us your feedback, criticism and suggestions. Stay Goony, Ponyboy!

In the interests of fostering a little fun and interactivity here on GB, Chris and I have decided to launch a contest - first prize of which will be one of our new t-shirts. The object is simple: Email us and name your favorite goon of all time, and why. The rules are even simpler:

• Make sure your email is at least 500 words. The shirts are nice, and we want to see you skate a little bit for them.
• Steer clear of “…just because he was awesome!” types of answers. Tell us why said pugilist is your favorite of all time. Specifics will be rewarded.
• Bonus points for photographs of yourself with the goon in question.

Those are the details, and it isn’t rocket science. Who have we overlooked? Put it in writing, email it to us and you just might end up with the coolest hockey t-shirt going. It’s so hot right now.

FUCKING ORRSIE!!!! I just watched Colton Orr score his first ever NHL Goal!! I feel like a proud father. It was a pretty good one too. Nice backhander, after a crash and bang move to the goal! Kid has hands!! Off to dinner with MOL. Podcast coming tomorrow boys. Stay tuned.

This season marks year three of Goonblog HQ being wired for the NHL Center Ice Package. I had it the year before the lockout, and the two seasons since. In each of the three I have had it; I have sort of adopted a team I watch if the beloved Bruins aren’t playing. I don’t really do it consciously, it just kind of happens. The first season, it was Dallas. I like Billy Guerin, and they were a fun team to watch. Plus MOL liked them too. I think she had a crush on Mike Modano. Can you blame her? Last season, was a bit more on purpose. My team was the Harford Whalers. I had been watching a lot of those guys for a couple of years in Lowell, and when the lockout ended, it was natural to follow them to the NHL. This season, I have been a rabid Pittsburgh Penguins fan. They are fun to watch, and the color schemes are just similar enough to the Bruins, that it throws MOL off her game. As in, “Hey wait. This isn’t the Bruins.”

Why Pittsburgh? Well, like I said. It really isn’t on purpose. I saw the first couple games of the season, and I like the way they play. Say what you will about Sidney Crosby, but the kid is legit. No question he is the future of the NHL. Throw in Jordan Staal, and Evgeni Malkin, and you have three of the best young forwards in the game. Then, throw in the guys that have to stick up for the big three. Colby Armstrong, who can play some hockey, Ryan Malone, who I’d love to see in the Black and Gold, and Eric “Big Daddy” Cairns are all on the roster and can be counted on to drop the mitts if required. Plus, Brooks Orpik hits like a train, and can be a bit dirty. So, if you have the Center Ice Package, I suggest any Penguins game. I guarantee a good time.